US troops to stay in Iraq as long as necessary

Monday, August 20, 2018 | 19:51:35

(VOVWORLD) - American troops will remain in Iraq “as long as needed” to help stabilize the country, Sean Ryan, spokesperson for the US-led coalition to defeat ISIS told a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

American soldiers in Baghdad in 2009 (Photo:AFP/VNA)

He added the main reason, after ISIS is defeated militarily, is the stabilization efforts and the US still needs to be there for that.

The Iraqi government announced the defeat of ISIS in Iraq last December, approximately five months after the US-led coalition captured the militant group’s stronghold of Mosul. There are over 5,000 American soldiers in Iraq.